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Stanhope Crew 710 Summary
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The Stanhope Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1658 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 710.
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Capt Harold Stanhope signed out for a B-24J, 44-40168. Their ship was nicknamed TEQUILA DAISY. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Two of the men, Lt Graven and Sgt Bell, took the Queen Elizabeth over in order to make way for Lt Pittman, the Assistant Squadron Operations Officer, and their ground Crew Chief, M/Sgt Johanson.
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By our count, Capt Stanhope flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 710 for a total of 6 missions, plus an aborted one. We can't be positive if there were any personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the regular bombardier could have missed an earlier pathfinder mission.
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When the crew was transferred out, there were some changes in the roster. One change for sure was in the co-pilot position. Lt Keeler had gotten in hot water with Col Snavely. As a result, he was demoted from pilot and reassigned to this departing crew as co-pilot. Lt Graven was sent to the G Haag Crew 706.
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The Stanhope Crew 710 was transferred to the 44th BG, 66th BS on 10 Jun 44 for Lead Ship/Pathfinder training. They were replaced by the Perry Crew R-21.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Stanhope Crew 710
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Stanhope, Harold D |
Capt |
O-426440 |
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Graven, Thomas A |
2nd Lt |
O-702268 |
Went to England on the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted 1st Lt
Reassigned to Haag Crew 706
Transferred 10 Aug 44, to the 44th BG
Some records has name as Gavin |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Whitsitt, William H |
2nd Lt |
O-688194 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Lee, Archie A |
2nd Lt |
O-703673 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Muldoon, Thomas J |
S/Sgt |
16149082 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Radioman
MOS 757 |
Muldoon, Louis J |
S/Sgt |
36566084 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Petelle, Edward H |
Sgt |
16134879 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Veazey, William C |
Sgt |
6967345 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
White, Hugh B |
Sgt |
14182573 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Not sure if he transferred with the crew |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Bell, John R |
Sgt |
38012117 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG |
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Others Who Flew with Stanhope Crew 710
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Staff Officer
MOS 1024 |
Pittman, Ray L |
1st Lt |
O-431304 |
857th Assistant Squadron Operations Officer
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted Capt |
Crew Chief
MOS 752 |
Johanson, Karl |
M/Sgt |
6734457 |
Flew to England with the crew
Seen name as Johansson |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Keeler, William J |
1st Lt |
O-805844 |
Obtained from Keeler Crew 918
Demoted from pilot to co-pilot
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG with this crew as an extra man |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Lofdahl, Charles W |
1st Lt |
O-668713 |
Staff Bombardier with the 856th
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG with this crew as an extra man |
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Stanhope Crew 710
492nd BG Mission Record
857th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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11 May 44 |
44-40106 |
Mulhouse, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
44-40168 |
Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield |
| 03 |
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24 May 44 |
44-40113 |
Melun, France |
Target: Airfield
Led B Section w/Byrne |
| 04 |
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27 May 44 |
44-40168 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| Abort |
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4 Jun 44 |
44-40168 |
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield
Led B Section w/Byrne
Aborted, uncredited |
| 05 |
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6 Jun 44 |
44-40136 |
Normandy, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 06 |
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8 Jun 44 |
44-40168 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction |
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